NASHVILLE, TN – When you meet Abby Miranda, it’s easy to assume she’s always been a personal trainer. With her calm confidence, infectious energy, and deep understanding of wellness, she’s exactly the kind of person you’d want guiding you through a workout. But as her story unfolds, you learn that she didn’t start in the world of fitness at all. Her path started with roots in the classroom, a mission trip to Africa, and a faith-fueled leap of faith that transformed her life.
“So, during college, I just wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my life,” Abigail said. “My mom was a teacher, so I decided to go into teaching, but I always wanted to do something that was my own idea, something entrepreneurial. I don’t think I was ready at the time.”
Abby always had the dream of owning a business. She even thought about opening a coffee shop. But she admitted that looking back, it was less about coffee and more about creating something of her own.
Despite her initial uncertainty, she found joy and fulfillment in teaching. “I ended up loving it. I taught 1st grade for the last three years and loved my administration, loved my team. I probably would’ve stayed there for a long time,” she said. “I felt like I was settling a little bit, but it was a good settling.”
That all changed when her cousin, a missionary in Africa for over a decade, reached out with a unique opportunity. Abby was asked to come to Africa to train teachers in a rural village on how to teach phonics and reading.
“Their teachers are really just volunteers with minimal education. My cousin asked me to create a basic curriculum that used simple English so the teachers could follow it even after I left.”
On a whim Abby and her husband packed their bags and moved to Africa for five months.
While she was abroad, Abby began to feel the shift. “That was the moment to pivot. I had matured so much, developed so many skills in teaching that I could now carry into something new.”
Soon she combined her love for teaching and being active and enrolled in an online course through National Academy of Sports Medicine to become a certified personal trainer. “Even if I didn’t use it, I thought it would be good to have. I’m passionate about health and wellness, and my husband and I had already been living that lifestyle for years.”
During their five-month stay in Africa, she completed the entire course online, reading every word of the dense textbook. When she returned to the U.S., she took and passed her exam and hit the ground running.
“At that point, I knew I didn’t want to go back to teaching. I had offers from four gyms, however, Body Fit Training Brentwood was the one she decided to train at. It was a part-time role, but what drew me in was the atmosphere, the people, the energy. And the programming was some of the best for group fitness.”
It wasn’t long before Abby started climbing the ladder.
“Four months later, I moved up to head coach. A few months after that, I became manager,” Abigail said. “Being around other coaches helped me grow so much. I’ve learned from my boss, from other trainers, and from clients with all kinds of backgrounds and fitness levels.”
She credits her years in the classroom for preparing her to coach. “Teaching taught me organization, leadership, and how to tailor a lesson for different learning styles. Every student was different with different backgrounds and different starting points. It’s the same in fitness.”
“In teaching, if a student wasn’t learning, you had to figure out what the barrier was. That’s what makes a great coach too. You can’t just hand someone a workout program and say it’s their fault if they don’t follow through. You have to figure out what’s getting in the way and help them work through it.”
Her classroom experience gave her the confidence to speak clearly, offer structured programming, and adapt on the fly. All of which are essential skills in group fitness. “I’m not afraid to speak to a room full of people. I know how to keep people engaged, give feedback in a positive way, and motivate without pushing too far. All of that came from teaching.”
She also believes her work ethic helped her rise quickly. “Teachers work so hard for so little. When I got to BFT, I was ready to work. Cleaning bathrooms, showing up early and anything to help the team. I think some people expect personal training to be easy or a side gig, but to succeed, you have to grind.”
Abby now offers in-person and virtual one-on-one training, as well as online programs. She’s working on her nutrition certification through Precision Nutrition and has already earned her Corrective Exercise Specialization.
“The goal is to offer full wellness coaching including training, nutrition, mindset and help people build lasting habits. I also want to help BFT Brentwood grow. We’re hoping to open a second location in the next couple of years.”
When asked who her ideal client is, she says: “BFT is for everybody, truly. We have athletes, 70-year-olds, cancer survivors, 11-year-olds. Our coaches are certified trainers who can modify or challenge based on where you’re at. Our goal is to help people build muscle, burn fat, and prevent injury.”
Through it all, Abby remains rooted in her faith. “I truly believe the Lord has been in the middle of all of it. My husband and I invite God into everything we do. I can see how every season led to the next. I give Him credit for the fulfillment I feel now.”
Abby and her husband love hiking, walking their dogs, spending time with friends, and running with the Fleet Feet Run Club in Cool Springs. They’re currently training for future events and always looking for their next adventure.
Want to train with Abigail or try a class at BFT Brentwood?
Abby’s story is one of courage, transition, and calling. She didn’t just change careers, she transformed her life, and now she’s helping others do the same. Her story is a reminder that when you lean into your gifts, trust the process, and stay rooted in your values, you can turn any chapter into your purpose.
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